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Then you gave birth to this beautiful, cute and tiny 8 lbs person. You never suspected that such a powerful and deep love could even exist. The emotions are extremely intense and it’s just the most perfect love.  It really is awesome and all moms will without doubt agree! Finally, the time has come to breastfeed your cherished child and then things are far more difficult than you imagined!  Don’t give up though!

There are so many diverse reasons why mothers quit and turn to formula feeding in about the first six or eight weeks. They were simply unprepared to face the early breastfeeding issues such as sore nipples and swollen breasts meaning that breastfeeding can be so painful. Often new breastfeeding mums can feel miserable and exhausted but these things can all be overcome. Soon breastfeeding can become that wonderful experience that you imagined!!

 The breastfeeding tips below will help you in having a succeed with breastfeeding

1- Get yourself relaxed   Why not set up an exclusive breastfeeding place with a cozy seat, comfy pillows and your favourite magazine or maybe the TV remote control so you can enjoy your favorite shows. Also have a bottle of water next to you for when you feel thirsty.

2- Ensure that your child is latched on correctly.

This is actually the most significant tip for successful breastfeeding. If you are not sure your baby is latching on properly plan a meeting with a local lactation advisor or go to a nearby La Leche League meeting to have somebody show you the right latch.  If your Mum or one of your friends breast fed ask them to give you a hand to get it right….my sister showed me how to do it!

If not read through the following information to help you get the right latch.

Make sure your baby is comfy while you are breast feeding by having a pillow to bring baby up to the breast. Also the baby needs to come to the breast  and not the other way around. That will aid in preventing sore, cracked and bleeding breast nipples.

Hold your child within your arms to ensure that the neck sits within your bent elbow, the babies back should rest on your lower arm and the babies bottom within your hand. Move your baby onto his side and draw him in close to you. Your babies head needs to be in-line with the remainder of his body.  Your baby should not have to reach for your nipple in any way.

Hold your breast, 4 fingers beneath and thumb on the top. Once the nipple reaches his lips he will open his mouth and take your nipple. The baby should have his mouth around as much of the areola as possible for a good latch…if he only has the tip of your nipple take your child off and try again.

3- Take care physically, mentally and nutritionally of yourself.

Do not forget that your food and fluid intake can impact your breast milk. Refer to our breastfeeding diet guide to learn more about what to eat and drink when breastfeeding. Being relaxed, eating healthily and taking plenty of water will help you to breastfeed successfully.

4- Avoid bottle feeding during the initial month. Babies have two distinct sucking movements one for breastfeeding and one for bottle feeding. If you swap between breast and bottle in the initial weeks your infant can get confused and this could give you sore and cracked nipples.

5- You don’t have to endure cracked nipples and sore breasts.

There are numerous products available to help you. Some nursing moms use Lansinoh HPA Lanolin breastfeeding cream. A thick application of Lansinoh on sore nipples will ease the pain and  can also be absorbed by your child.

I preferred to use an organic nipple cream such as Earth Mama Angel Nipple Butter Cream but also another tip is that if you squeeze some of your breast milk out and rub it into your nipples this reduces the effects of cracked nipples.  Even olive oil or honey are meant to ease cracked nipples!  Surely worth giving them a go!

Lastly just as you latch your baby on take a deep breath and the pain will ease as soon as breast feeding is under way!

For engorged breasts the solution is breastfeeding your child or make use of a breast pump. I used a hand pump just to ease the pain and then froze the milk I expressed for going back to work.  A warm bath or wash cloth placed on your breasts also helps  to relieve your breasts. If you are still struggling we advise you to seek the help of your lactation consultant.

Mastitis is one possibility that needs checking out with the doctor as you may need medication.

6- Don’t Quit!

If you get through the first 6 weeks you are through the worst! It will get better. You will be amazed at how you start to relax r and enjoy breastfeeding. And don’t forget that you aren’t on your own. You will find a large community of breastfeeding mothers experiencing the same. You can use the comment form below to share your experiences, tips, and issues with several other moms that visit our site every day. You may also visit La Leche League site for information on nearby support groups.

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